How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?

How many solar panels do I need for a house of 1,500 square feet? When we initially introduce people to solar energy and tell them the advantages of solar energy, they frequently ask us similar questions here at SEM power. However, there is much more to evaluate than just the size of your property or structure when estimating the number of panels you will require.

A 1,500-square-foot house with two individuals will most likely consume far less power than the same house with two adults and two adolescent children. Even if the house is the same size, a place with four people will need a larger system. As a result, estimating the number of panels required based only on a house’s square footage is difficult. In a nutshell, constructing a solar system is similar to putting together a jigsaw. It is tough to build the final product if you do not have all of the necessary components. The parts you’ll need to get started are listed below.

Factors Influencing the Number of Solar Panels Required

Although the square footage of your property will be a consideration, the number of panels you will require is ultimately decided by the four criteria listed below:

The amount of direct sunshine you receive each day in your region

The quantity of direct sunlight received by your roof will vary depending on where you reside and the season of the year. Fortunately, we have resources and substantial local meteorological station data, as well as other software, to assist in calculating the quantity of sunlight in your area.

The quantity of roof space that can be used

On average, the ideal roof has a 30° pitch and faces directly south. Because that isn’t always possible, a less-than-perfect roof may require more panels to provide the energy you need. The good news is that solar panels are becoming increasingly efficient. Because of these advancements, it is now more cost-effective to put panels on rooftops that face east/west and do not have the correct pitch.

The kind of solar panel you choose

The production capacity of solar panels varies (the ratio of energy generated vs energy absorbed from the sun). Efficiency has gone a long way in the previous decade. The panels we implement have an efficiency range of 16.6 percent to 21%.

Considering the parameters discussed above, a simple calculation to determine the size of the system you want is kWh per year / 1500 = the size system you require (kW). Our real system plan should consider many other aspects, but this should be a solid starting point. We will pick the number of panels based on your accessible roof area (or land if you want a ground mount system) and your goal budget once we have determined the kW required. For instance, if space is limited, we will need to choose a better efficiency panel to keep the footprint small while maintaining high output. Similarly, a less expensive panel might be used if there is a more available area to work with.

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To figure out how many solar panels you’ll require for your property, you’ll need first to figure out what your objectives are. Do you wish to reduce your carbon footprint? Want to get the most out of your capital expenditure? Trying to save as much cash as possible? The majority of individuals desire to save money while reducing their environmental effects. To determine how much photovoltaic power you require, you must first determine how much energy your household consumes, the utilizable surface area of your roof, the climate and maximum sunlight in your neighborhood, the power output and relative efficiency of the photovoltaic (PV) panels you are thinking, and whether net metering is accessible or not. Contact us today and let us help you make the right decision for your property.

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